‘Flawed’ EHIA for Thepa coal-fired plant approved

The Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) on the Thepa coal-fired power plant has been approved over strong objections from opposing groups.

A committee of experts met to review the EHIA on Thursday evening, concluding that the EHIA had been approved, moving the project one step closer for the construction of the biggest coal-fired power plant in Thailand in Songkhla’s Thepa district.

The next step for 2,200-megawatt coal-fired power plant project will be a review by the National Environment Committee.

The proposed coal-fired power plant has been heavily criticised by local residents and academics who have argued that the EHIA did not provide full and accurate baseline data regarding the surrounding environment and impacts to the ecosystem and local people’s livelihoods.

Opposition groups also claimed that there had not been proper public participation during the EHIA study, meaning the assessment was flawed and should be rejected.